God & Society

Phil Zuckerman, an associate professor of sociology at Pitzer College, in his book Society Without God...sheds light on some very interesting aspects of the connection between religion and societal health. He says: “From Nebraska to Nepal, from Georgia to Guatemala, and from Utah to Uganda, humans all over the globe are vigorously praising various deities; regularly attending services at churches, temples, and mosques; persistently studying sacred texts; dutifully performing holy rites; energetically carrying out spiritual rituals; soberly defending the world from sin; piously fasting; and enthusiastically praying and then praying some more, singing, praising, and loving this or that savior, prophet, or God. But...What are societies like when faith in God is minimal….and religion is a distinctly muted and marginal aspect of everyday life? Many people assume that religion is what keeps people moral, that a society without God would be hell on earth: rampant with immorality, full of evil, and teeming with depravity.......”

Has made me wonder about the kind of society we live in….and the excesses we see around us in the name of religion and morality. I am a deeply religious person and my faith has never let me down. But when I see such nonsense meted out to unsuspecting souls in the name of religion it bothers me no end. My question is who appointed these people messengers of God? Am sure God himself would not want such cruelty perpetrated in his name or for him.

While these “chosen few” wax eloquent of their deep binding ties with God, what they enact during their lifetimes bear no testimony to the teachings and principles set down in the holy books. By bringing harm to another living soul or abusing their personal freedom they do not in any manner become any more religious or the chosen ones to enter heaven. What they need to realize is the minute they infringe on another’s space and desecrate their life, they cease to be holy men/women. They no longer have blessings from above and by causing harm to a fellow citizen instead of attaining nirvana, they are merely adding to their sins! They are then no less than the beast himself!